EXHIBIT 99.1



                              VCA ANTECH ANNOUNCES
          REFINANCING OF SENIOR CREDIT FACILITY - LOWERS INTEREST RATE
                        BY 25 BASIS POINTS TO LIBOR +225

    LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, JUNE 1, 2004 - VCA ANTECH, INC. (NASDAQ NM SYMBOL:
WOOF) announced today that it has refinanced its senior credit facility. The
$145.3 million of total outstanding senior term D notes were replaced with new
senior term E notes in the amount of $225.0 million, priced at LIBOR plus 225
basis points, resulting in a 25 basis point reduction in the interest rate. The
additional $79.7 million borrowed was used to finance the acquisition of
National PetCare Centers, Inc. ("NPC"), which was previously announced and
closed today.

    Bob Antin, Chairman and CEO, stated, "I am pleased that as a result of our
strong operating performance and the recent upgrade of our senior secured credit
rating by Moody's and Standard and Poor's to Ba3 and BB-, respectively, we were
able to lower our interest rate by 25 basis points. We appreciate Goldman Sachs'
and Wells Fargo Bank's efforts in arranging this successful refinancing."

    In conjunction with the refinancing of its senior credit facility, in the
second quarter of 2004 the Company expects to record an expense for certain
deferred financing costs and other related expenses. The Company is still
evaluating those costs and the foregoing excludes any related impact.

                            DETAIL OF REFINANCED DEBT



                                  Retired Debt                  New Debt
                             --------------------         -------------------
    Description              Balance         Rate         Balance        Rate
    -----------              -------         ----         -------        ----
                                                            
    Senior Term D Notes      $145.3         L +250          --             --
    Senior Term E Notes         --            --          $225.0        L +225

    Revolver (unused)        $ 50.0         L +275        $ 50.0        L +275


    Statements contained in this release that are not based on historical
information are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties.
Actual results may vary substantially as a result of a variety of factors. Among
the important factors that could cause actual results to differ are the level of
direct costs and the ability of the Company to maintain revenue at a level
necessary to maintain expected operating margins, the level of selling, general
and administrative costs, the effects of competition, the efficient integration
of the Company's acquisitions, the effects of the Company's recent acquisitions
and its ability to effectively manage its growth, the ability of the Company to
service its debt, the continued implementation of its management information
systems, pending litigation and governmental investigations, general economic
conditions, and the results of the Company's acquisition program. These and
other risk factors are discussed in the Company's recent filing with the SEC on
Form 10-K and the reader is directed to



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these statements for a further discussion of important factors that could cause
actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking
statements.

    VCA Antech owns, operates and manages the largest networks of freestanding
veterinary hospitals and veterinary-exclusive clinical laboratories in the
country.

    Media contact:    Tom Fuller, Chief Financial Officer
                      (310) 571-6505



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